WOW Katherine 2013

Introduction to WOW
The WOW – Women of the World – Festival is a global festival originating at
London’s Southbank Centre, that celebrates the formidable strength and
inventiveness of girls and women, where people of all ages and backgrounds can
applaud their achievements but also examine the obstacles that prevent them
from achieving their full potential. WOW is for everyone, not a women-only event.
In May 2013, Southbank Centre launched WOW in Australia as part of Sydney
Writers’ Festival (SWF), with a strand of work that ran throughout the festival
that focussed on girls and women. Highlights included Ruby Wax in the Sydney
Opera House with her show about mental illness, an Under 10's feminist corner,
speed mentoring for 300 people, a keynote from Jude Kelly, Artistic Director of
Southbank Centre and founder of WOW, and from Shami Chakrabarti, Director of
UK human rights organisation Liberty, who set out the story of women’s struggles
for freedom across the world. Now, in September 2013, WOW comes to Katherine
in the Northern Territory.
“I am thrilled by this wonderful invitation to create WOW with the amazing
women in Katherine. The pioneering spirit of the town and region is well
known and this festival gives a chance to celebrate the contributions of
girls and women past and present and to contribute to the global debate
on equality as an essential human right.”
- Jude Kelly, Artistic Director, Southbank Centre, London
“WOW Katherine is such an important opportunity for the Indigenous and
non-Indigenous women of the region to get together, talk and share their
cultures and, at the end of the day, as women together, to have some hard
earned fun!”
- Cath Bowdler, Director, Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre
“Women of Katherine and across the Territory gathering will be significant
in uniting together, to learn from each other, to feel and heal the strength
of each others differences, knowledge & expertise.”
- Lisa Mumbin, Jawoyn Elder and Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts
& Culture Centre Board Member
WELCOME TO WOW – Women of the World
– Katherine
Message from Minister Anderson
As the Northern Territory Minister for Women’s Policy I welcome
you all to this important international festival.
The WOW – Women of the World Festival – Katherine is an
exciting opportunity for the women of the Northern Territory
to unite and collaborate with women from across the globe, to
share experiences, and to heal and learn from each other and to see ourselves
as part of a global network of women seeking to drive change for the better
and an equal world.
I congratulate Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre in securing one
of the most important international celebrations of women and wish you all
success in your endeavours now and into the future.
Alison Anderson MLA
Minister for Women's Policy
Message from the Patron
We welcome with enthusiasm the Women of the World Festival
to the beautiful region of Katherine, home to Nitmiluk National
Park and Katherine Gorge. I am delighted and very honoured
to be Patron of a global festival that celebrates women’s
achievements and encourages women to form enduring and
healthy friendships and networks.
We know life in our regions has many wonderful advantages; lifestyle and being
part of a caring community are just two that come to mind. We also know there
are challenges. This is why it is important women who live in regional and remote
centres have the opportunity to come together and have meaningful conversations
about their hopes and concerns. And there is so much value in sharing
our experiences.
What a unique and precious opportunity for the community of Katherine. I look
forward to the privilege of meeting and listening to women of extraordinary
diversity. On behalf of the Northern Territory, I express gratitude to the
Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre for hosting the festival.
Sally Thomas AM
Administrator of the Northern Territory
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